Advice on a New Rifle

[Taco280AI]

I have an M70 Extreme Hunter 308 that was the easiest rifle I've ever loaded for. First load I tried, only load I tried, went .4" @ 100.

One powder, one bullet, one primer, one powder charge, one seating depth... done.

[fishngamereaper]

It's very person dependent. Go mess with your options and see what fit and finish you like best.
Then shoot em if you can...I was going through the same process a couple years ago...
Personally...I hate the way Tikkas feel....and they don't fit me well.
I ended up with a Browning x bolt HC....love it and it flat out shoots. The 6.5 PRC is an awesome round..
I looked at the CAs but there seemed to be allot of issues with them at the time.
If I was going to spend a little more money I would also look at Seekins Havak line.

[thinkingman]

I don't know if some of these people even read the OP, but CA and Kimber are probably the least consistent manufacturers I can think of and the 7s are already 7.5lb and have been widely discussed as cheap and inconsistent.
Tikka Superlight is exactly what you're describing with lightweight, reliable and consistent.
You just never hear of a Tikka with basic shootability or manufacturing issues.
Easy choice and money left over for a good (not Leupold or Vortex) optic.

[Hilltop123]

https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=57577
May or may not fit your bill.

[buckfvr]

With todays mfg, all top brands should be sub moa, but Id still not buy an entry level option from anyone.  I know plenty of guys who have bought and sold both Tikka and Kimber in short order.

I think for the most part it may boil down to ammo, just like rifles, dont buy the cheapest shtuff you can find.  If you dont reload, buy premium ammo.  I reload, but my favorite deer woods rifle gets Sierra Game Changers @ 1/2 moa.  If youre talking about a hunting rifle, whats important is the first two shots touching or close to it.   

Last year after a slip in the snow I went home and verified my sight in before continuing to hunt.  2 shots 100 yards with 200 zero.  Its done the same thing over and over even at 200.

Not sure why it rotated but that is now sideways.....

[adamR]

For those of you that have Tikkas, have you ever had to send your rifle in for work? I'm hesitant on Tikkas only because they are in Finland.

I like the idea of aftermarket upgrade availability. I want a rifle that will shoot sub moa immediately but I like having the option of upgrading down the road.

For the record, I'm not entirely against lower end firearms, I just think they have a specific purpose. For instance, I expect my 9 year old to beat the hell out of his Savage Axis II and it won't bother me at all.

[highside74]

Tikka T3x, Savage 110 Ultralight or Browning Hells Canyon in 6.5prc. The PRC is better than the Creedmoor in every way and has barely anymore recoil.

[jjhunter]

My CA Ridgeline 6.5 PRC is very accurate.  I’ve lost track of how many of my buddies have bought them and shoot them as primary hunting rifles; a couple of these guys have high end customs sitting in the safe (including me).

[bustedoldman]

For those of you that have Tikkas, have you ever had to send your rifle in for work? I'm hesitant on Tikkas only because they are in Finland.

I like the idea of aftermarket upgrade availability. I want a rifle that will shoot sub moa immediately but I like having the option of upgrading down the road.

For the record, I'm not entirely against lower end firearms, I just think they have a specific purpose. For instance, I expect my 9 year old to beat the hell out of his Savage Axis II and it won't bother me at all.

OMR, HCA plus others do Tikka rebuilds ( proof barrel, mesa/manners stocks etc) for around $1500 and up.

[jrebel]

Savage ultralite for the win.  Lightweight good looking and stupid accurate.   I own the one in 6.5 creedmoor and it is a fantastic rifle.   

I have owned a Christensen and won’t buy another.  I have also owned a kimber and lived it, but the pencil barrel heated up too fast.  It made for very long range days.  With hand loads it shot great.   Never owned a tikka but know friends who love them. 

[adamR]

The 6.5 PRC doesn't interest me as my elk rifle is a 300 Win Mag. I'm tired of spending $120 a box on ammo and want something I can shoot for cheaper. I know the PRC is a better round if you want larger game, I don't. The win for the Creedmore comes from looking at ammo shelves and seeing a dozen options as opposed to one or two at best for the PRC. I want it for coyote to deer and nothing more.

[bigdub257]

Savage ultralite for the win.  Lightweight good looking and stupid accurate.   I own the one in 6.5 creedmoor and it is a fantastic rifle.   

I have the 110 UL in 6.5 PRC and it shoots lights out with factory ammo.  Very comfortable to carry also!]

[Mtnwalker]

I have a Tikka in 6.5 creed that I'd be happy to let you shoot if you're ever in the Selah area...

[highside74]

The 6.5 PRC doesn't interest me as my elk rifle is a 300 Win Mag. I'm tired of spending $120 a box on ammo and want something I can shoot for cheaper. I know the PRC is a better round if you want larger game, I don't. The win for the Creedmore comes from looking at ammo shelves and seeing a dozen options as opposed to one or two at best for the PRC. I want it for coyote to deer and nothing more.

The PRC isn't really an elk rifle in my opinion. Ammo is readily available now. Hornady 143 eldx is $48 almost everywhere. But the Creedmoor is a great round so you do you.

[birddogdad]

so everyone has an opinion for sure on this. mine would be to STOP! Save your money and get the rifle of your dreams, the one you have always wanted rather than settling for "another" rifle. Something you would pass to a child that they would not have to save to purchase in the next lifetime! If you have a rifle, it will do for now. The price point you discuss would not be a great entering base for the scope on something i am talking about.. ie. Custom, carbon, lite, accurate, spendy in the caliber you want for ranges and game you want to reach.  just throwing a different postion at you